How does military law differ from civilian law?

Military law is different from civilian law in several ways. In New Hampshire, military law is governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or UCMJ. This law applies to all branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Under the UCMJ, military personnel are subject to a different set of laws and penalties than civilians. For example, members of the military are subject to additional restrictions on where they can go and what they can do, such as restrictions on alcohol and drugs, and limits on freedom of expression. Military courts, or courts-martial, also differ from civilian courts. While a civilian court will usually hold a trial and allow a jury to decide the outcome, a court-martial is a tribunal that is presided over by military officers. A court-martial can impose much harsher punishments than a civilian court, including jail time, dishonorable discharge, and even the death penalty. There are also differences in the rights and protections available to members of the military under the UCMJ. For example, the right to a lawyer is more limited in military courts than in civilian courts. Similarly, some military personnel do not have the right to decline an order from a superior. Overall, military law is substantially different from civilian law, and the consequences for violating military law can be much harsher than for breaking civilian law.

Related FAQs

What is the purpose of the Code of Conduct?
What is the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 31?
What is the maximum punishment a court-martial can impose?
What is the role of a military prosecutor?
What is the UCMJ Article 120?
What is the rule against hearsay?
What is the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)?
How is an accused in a court-martial protected from self-incrimination?
What is the purpose of a military investigative hearing?
How does the Sixth Amendment apply to court-martial proceedings?

How does military law differ from civilian law?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts